Spring loaded U-joint with spring retaining surface

Abstract

An improved universal joint device for socket wrenches. The improved device is constructed with non-slip spring retaining surfaces on the handle and socket portions of the device for receiving the ends of a coil spring which can maintain the universal joint in alignment during both tension and compression. The device is otherwise free of grooves or apertures for mounting the spring to the handle and socket portions.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A universal joint device for a socket wrench, comprising: 
       a handle portion having a forked end member and a non-slip spring retaining surface extending at least partially around the periphery surface of said handle portion;  
       a socket portion having a forked end member and a non-slip spring retaining surface extending at least partially around the periphery surface of said socket portion;  
       an intermediate swivel block;  
       means for proving a first pivotal connection of said forked end member of said handle portion to said handle swivel block, and means for providing a second pivotal connection of the forked end member of said socket portion to said swivel block, such that the axes of said first and second pivotal connections are at substantially right angles to each other; and a spring concentric with and encircling said swivel block, said spring mounted to said handle and socket portions on said non-slip spring retaining surfaces, wherein each said non-slip spring retaining surface is a tapered surface, said tapered surface each narrowing gradually away from each other and wherein at least one of said tapered surfaces has an axial length greater than a maximum cross-sectional dimension of an end coil of said spring.  
     
     
       2. The universal joint device of  claim 1  wherein a diameter of said socket or handle portion adjacent said swivel block is larger than a diameter of said socket or handle portion further from said swivel block. 
     
     
       3. A universal joint device for a socket wrench, comprising: 
       a handle portion having a forked end member and a non-slip spring retaining surface extending at least partially around the periphery surface of said handle portion;  
       a socket portion having a forked end member and a non-slip spring retaining surface extending at least partially around the periphery surface of said socket portion;  
       an intermediate swivel block;  
       means for proving a first pivotal connection of said forked end member of said handle portion to said handle swivel block, and means for providing a second pivotal connection of the forked end member of said socket portion to said swivel block, such that the axes of said first and second pivotal connections are at substantially right angles to each other; and a spring concentric with and encircling said swivel block, said spring mounted to said handle and socket portions on said non-slip spring retaining surfaces, wherein each said non-slip retaining surface is an axially outwardly extending shoulder portion and a substantially horizontal portion, said spring positioned on said horizontal portion and behind said shoulder portion.  
     
     
       4. The universal joint device of  claim 3  wherein said horizontal portion has a substantially uniform diameter throughout. 
     
     
       5. The universal joint device of  claim 3  wherein said socket or handle portion at said shoulder portion has a diameter greater than said socket or handle portion at said horizontal portion. 
     
     
       6. The universal joint device of  claim 3  wherein said shoulder portion is tapered to gradually narrow away from said swivel block. 
     
     
       7. A universal joint device for a socket wrench, comprising: 
       a handle portion having a forked end member and a non-slip spring retaining surface extending at least partially around the periphery surface of said handle portion;  
       a socket portion having a forked end member and a non-slip spring retaining surface extending at least partially around the periphery surface of said socket portion;  
       an intermediate swivel block;  
       means for proving a first pivotal connection of said forked end member of said handle portion to said handle swivel block, and means for providing a second pivotal connection of the forked end member of said socket portion to said swivel block, such that the axes of said first and second pivotal connections are at substantially right angles to each other; and  
       a spring concentric with and encircling said swivel block, said spring mounted to said handle and socket portions on said non-slip spring retaining surfaces, wherein said device is otherwise free of recessed and aperture means for mounting said spring to said handle and socket portions.  
     
     
       8. The universal joint device of  claim 7  wherein said forked end members of said handle portion and said socket portion are each provided with a pair of arms having bore holes, wherein said swivel block is provided with a pair of axially perpendicular holes bored therethrough, and wherein said first and second pivotal connections means each include a pin for pivotally connecting the respective handle portion or socket portion with said swivel block through said bore holes in said pair of arms of said forked end member and through one of the holes in said swivel block. 
     
     
       9. The universal joint device of  claim 7  wherein said non-slip spring retaining surfaces extend entirely around the periphery of each said handle and socket portions. 
     
     
       10. The universal joint device of  claim 7  wherein said spring is retained on each of said handle and socket portions in both tension and compression. 
     
     
       11. The universal joint device of  claim 7  wherein said non-slip spring retaining surfaces are defined by at least a portion on each of said handle and socket portions having a variable diameter. 
     
     
       12. The universal joint device of  claim 11  wherein said variable diameter decreases with the distance from said swivel block. 
     
     
       13. The universal joint device of  claim 7  wherein said spring is retained on said non-slip spring retaining surfaces in both compression and tension simultaneously. 
     
     
       14. The universal joint device of  claim 7  wherein compression and tension forces are applied simultaneously about at least a periphery portion of each of said socket and handle portions. 
     
     
       15. The universal joint device of  claim 14  wherein compression and tension forces are applied simultaneously about the 360 periphery of each of said socket and handle portions.